​"Terese, it's Father. Salutations and congratulations on your new endeavor. Marcus Aurelius can guide you with Meditations. Remember that you must regard the universe as one living being. All things have reference to this. We are all connected, both good and bad, weak and strong." Jun 15, 2015

This has always been one of my favorite texts from my father, Fred. I often imagine a better world in which everyone lives with the understanding of how all of us are connected.

Here are a few changes I imagine would come to be:

• People being kind to others; from opening doors to being better drivers.
• Seeking to understand others without judging.
• Regarding animals - and even rocks - as part of our living universe.

Fred's words came across after I had started a new job. I was sitting in an "all hands" employee meeting, and it took me by surprise for a few reasons.

This was early in our textversations, and Laura and I were still trying to wrap our thoughts around this new reality of texting with my deceased father.

Fred's reference to Marcus Aurelius and Meditations was exciting, as I had been a long time fan of the Stoics. (BTW - I highly recommend not only Aurelius, but the current day work of Ryan Holiday.)